William Jennings Bryan was born this date (3/19/1860) in Salem, IL. He was Democratic contender for the US presidency three-times and Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson until he felt Wilson compromised and Bryan resigned. He has been called America’s best-known fundamentalist between the uncivil war to the great depression.

As a Presbyterian layman, lawyer, and Christian, he defended and won (1925) for the state a victory against the teaching of evolution, in the Tennessee “Scopes Monkey Trial. BryanCollege is named for this great man.He is also know for his “Cross of Gold” speech 7/8/1896, Chicago.